December 12, 2011

From the Four Freedoms to 'The 4 Proofs'

Seventy years later, Republican fear of “voter impersonation” has led to “the 4 proofs” test in order to vote.

The Pioneer Press reports some Wisconsin voters are having trouble showing proof of their identity:

Jennifer “Rita” Platt says she's determined to vote next year, but Wisconsin isn't making it easy for her.

She and the rest of Wisconsin's voters will need to comply with a new voter ID law when they go to the polls in February's primaries.

With few exceptions, those without the proper ID can't vote.

But Platt and her boyfriend don't have forms of identification accepted at the polls, so they recently drove about 45 minutes to a Department of Motor Vehicles office in Hudson to each get an ID.

They encountered two problems.

The DMV office's computer system was down, which meant they couldn't get an ID processed. And they were told they didn't have the proper identification to get a state ID card or a Wisconsin driver's license, Platt said.

“They said I didn't have a certified birth certificate or a current passport,” said Platt, who said she had asked the DMV what was needed before heading to Hudson.

She had brought an expired Iowa driver's license, her Social Security card and a pay stub from the St. Croix Falls school district, where she works as a librarian, believing those items would satisfy the DMV's requirements, she said.

Platt, of Osceola, said she is going to have to find her certified birth certificate or request a new one, take unpaid time off from work and again make the trip to the DMV.

She'll eventually get an ID despite the financial cost and inconvenience, she said. Other people, however, may not be so determined, she added.

The Cost of Freedom Project is developing a location-based web app that will provide voters like Jennifer Platt the information they need before waiting in line to apply for a voter ID. This citizen-led initiative is powered by developers, researchers, activists, bloggers and ordinary Americans who are concerned about the burdensome impact of restrictive photo ID requirements.